Injury Concerns for James Conner

During a hard-fought matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner suffered a alarming ankle injury that resulted in him being carted off the field. Official reports confirmed he was ruled out for the remainder of the game, raising concerns about the severity of his condition.

A Vital Contributor to the Offense

The 30-year-old Conner has been a key figure in Arizona's offense in recent years, showcasing consistent performance with back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards and a total of 18 touchdowns between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Throughout his four seasons with the Cardinals, he has managed no fewer than 750 rushing yards in a season. Although his impact has been somewhat overshadowed this season—entering the game with just 73 rushing yards and one touchdown on 23 attempts—he has remained an essential player, complementing the efforts of quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

In the contest against San Francisco, Conner's stats included nine carries for 22 yards. His talent as a playmaker has always been paramount for the team's success, especially as they head into the 2025 season full of high expectations.

What’s Next for the Cardinals?

With Conner now potentially facing a lengthy recovery, rookie running back Trey Benson is expected to take over the majority of the workload in the backfield. Benson showed promise during his rookie season last year, amassing 291 yards and one touchdown over 13 games. This turn of events will be a significant challenge for the Cardinals as they strive to maintain their undefeated status in Week 2 and keep their playoff hopes alive without their star running back.